The Vision

Marcia Allen-health concerns Betty Andress-(mother of Paula Bowden)-health concerns Kolton Chapman-leaving for military service Shanna Covington-health concerns Liz & Tommy DeLoera-health concerns Marc Eilenstein (father of Jennifer Stidham)-health concerns Jane Floyd-health concerns Bertha Gilbert-health concerns Jay Goodwin-health concerns Sam Kitching-health concerns Martha Lara-health concerns Sue Luft-health concerns Charles Mick-personal issues Darrell Mize-health concerns Patricia Paris-health concerns   Edwin Parks-health concerns  Wilma Prater (mother of Paula Whitefield)-health concerns  John Ramirez-health concerns Augustine Ramos-personal issues Brantley Stephens-personal issues Jennifer Stewart-health concerns Mike Torres-personal issues Janet Wesson-health concerns James Whitefield-health concerns Ellen Whitmire-(sister-in-law of Mark Whitmire)-health concerns Evelyn Whitmire-(mother of Mark Whitmire)-health concerns

July Birthdays 05 July Arlie Eicke; P.O. Box 1111; Snyder 79550 11 July Foster Cave; P.O. Box 1091; Snyder 79550 12 July Nelda Brooks; 2405 42nd St.; Snyder 79549 16 July Cindy McMillan; 1609 Augusta.; Snyder 79549 18 July Jerry Dever; 2603 35th St.; Snyder 79549 19 July Nathan Armeta; 3806 Galveston Ave.; Snyder 79549 22 July Sue Lyon; ℅ University Place; 1250 N.E. 10th St. #210; Abilene, TX 76901 24 July Anjelikia Juarez; 2150 Thompson Rd.; Snyder 79549 27 July McKenzie Gutierrez; 1708 28th St.; Snyder 79549 29 July Jennifer Stewart; 2400 32nd St.; Snyder 79549 July Anniversaries 01 July Matthew & Jennifer Stidham; 3002 32nd St.; Snyder 79549 07 July Gaylon & Deborah Boyd; P.O. Box 645 Snyder 79550 26 July Jerry & Betty Starr; 1611 Firestone St.; Snyder 79549 31 July Bob & Jeanette Campbell; 2809 Westridge Dr.;  Snyder 79549

Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. - Mt 10:27-28 NIV Notice that Jesus does not teach his disciples that fear is wrong, but rather he reorients their thinking. In Matthew 10 Jesus is sending his disciples out into a world that was hostile to his message. Powerful people were already plotting to kill Jesus, and those speaking in his name would likewise be in danger. Within that context, Jesus commissions his followers to not back down from the mission they have been given. They are to proclaim that “the kingdom of heaven has come near,” and they should not abandon their mission just because it was dangerous.  But notice also that Jesus never promises to keep these disciples safe. He never says that God is safe! He reminds them that the death they would face in their mission might kill their body, but blowing off their mission would face eternal consequences from God! I confessed on Sunday morning that for years I read this passage as a reassurance that God would never let anything bad happen to me as long as I was doing what he asked me to do. That’s exactly the opposite of what Jesus is saying! Look at the very next verse. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. - Mt 10:29 NIV Jesus never tells us the sparrows won’t fall. God will not keep the sparrow from falling, but he will care for that sparrow as it falls. Our focus should not be on if we will fall, rather we should focus on whose arms we are falling into. Our mission is dangerous. Our calling is not safe. But we should not fear what will happen to us in this life. We are worth more than many sparrows, and we will not fall outside of our Father’s care. We should, however, fear the consequences of not carrying out our mission. Disowning Jesus means he will disown us. Living as disciples of Jesus means we have nothing to fear. If there’s anything in this passage that causes you fear, then there are things that need to change in your life. Focus on your mission. Focus on your Father. Focus on Jesus, and don’t be afraid. Matt